WO2016120523A1

WO2016120523A1 - Device for growing plants

Info

Publication number: WO2016120523A1
Application number: PCT/FI2016/050037
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hannu KANKAINEN
Original assignee: Kankainen Hannu
Priority date: 2015-01-26
Filing date: 2016-01-25
Publication date: 2016-08-04
Also published as: CA3011168A1; EP3250023A4; FI20150026A; FI126309B; EP3250023A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant growing device comprising cultivation cover, which is formed of a framework (10) of the cultivation cover and panels (11) to be mounted to the framework (10) and fastened with magnets, which panels (11) are provided with frames of metal or wood or plastic, open on all sides of the cultivation cover, are fully detachable on all sides of the framework (10) and are mounted in place by lifting one panel into each frame of the frame work (10) of the cultivation cover from outside the device, which framework (10) of the cultivation cover is of metal or wood or plastic and which consists of separate interconnected frames that form all sides of the framework, the frames being interconnected by fastening members, and inside of which device a material selected according to the intended use, climate type or season is installed, and which panels are combined from one or more different types of panels (11). The device is suitable both for fully organic growing of plants and for intensive gardening.

Description

DEVICE FOR GROWING PLANTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device suitable for growing plants all year round without a separately heated space. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water is difficult to control, and that is why environmental load due to fertilizers and pesticides is created. The device has a closed irrigation and water circulation system that reduces this risk.

Current greenhouses are fixed constructions that are both laborious and expensive to modify. Plants are mainly tended to inside the greenhouse, also in small greenhouses of hobbyists and those for growing plants for family consumption. The device is utilized from the outside, its interior being thus entirely available for growing plants.

In traditional greenhouse gardening, problems arise due to diseases caused by fungi transferred to or from the soil, seeds and roots of weed, environmental toxins, harmful chemicals, birds or insect pests. The device has an insulated construction that prevents this type of contamination.

Different climate zones place profoundly different demands on the implementation of plant growing facilities, and also the environment and official regulations place requirements on their construction. The device consists of interconnected and mutually compatible parts and may therefore be conveniently expanded.

Temperature variations during the day and according to season restrict growing of plants and considerably increase consumption of energy and costs. Due to its structure, the device requires less interior space in relation to the plant growth area because the device is utilized from the outside and no aisle space is needed inside.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to enable growing of plants so that the plants may be sown, grown into seedlings and further to fully grown plants, and then harvested without even once moving the plants and to enable, at the same time, protecting the plants against cold, dry, excess moisture, plant diseases, roots and seeds carried by soil, chemicals, insect pests, airborne seeds of weed, birds and vermin, such as rodents, and natural phenomena (such as hailstorms or driving rain).

The objects of the invention are achieved by a plant growing device which device has a cultivation cover, which is formed of a framework of the cultivation cover and panels to be mounted to the framework and fastened with magnets, which panels are provided with frames of metal or wood or plastic, open on all sides of the cultivation cover, are fully detachable on all sides of the framework and are mounted in place by lifting one panel into each frame of the framework of the cultivation cover from outside the device, which framework of the cultivation cover is of metal or wood or plastic and which consists of separate interconnected frames that form all sides of the framework, the frames being interconnected by fastening members, and inside of which device a material selected according to the intended use, climate type or season is installed, and which panels are combined from one or more different types of panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to exemplary embodiments, with its parts interconnected, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the invention provided with glazed panels,

Figure 2 is an end view of the invention provided with glazed panels,

Figure 3 shows a schematic vertical section of the invention provided with glazed panels,

Figure 4 shows a schematic horizontal section displaying a positioning of capillary tubes at the bottom of a cultivation basin,

Figure 5 is a side view of the invention increased in height and length, and provided with glazed panels,

Figure 6 is an end view of the invention increased height and length, and provided with glazed panels,

Figure 7 is a side view of a plural number of interconnected invention units provided with raising elements and with expansion elements connecting the rows of interconnected units,

Figure 8 is an end view of a plural number of interconnected invention units provided with raising elements and with expansion elements connecting the rows of interconnected units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a plant growing device which enables growing of plants so that the plants may be sown, grown into seedlings and further to fully grown plants, and then harvested without even once moving the plants and to enable, at the same time, protecting the plants against cold, dry, ex- cess moisture, plant diseases, roots and seeds carried by soil, chemicals, insect pests, airborne seeds of weed, birds and vermin, such as rodents, and natural phenomena (such as hailstorms or driving rain).

The invention is transferrable, thus allowing plants to be sown, germination and growing of seedlings indoors, after which the device may be taken outdoors. The device has an irrigation basin, which is thermally insulated and provided with a heating element, the substrate thus receiving both heat and water from below, which allows germination and the growth of seeds and saplings to be advanced significantly. If desired, an all-year-round growing of plants may be achieved with the device and, in any case, it advances and lengthens the growing season, such as growing domestic new potato for Easter.

According to the invention, circulation of water is arranged so that the irrigation basin is insulated at the sides and the bottom thereof and lies bottommost inside a frame, supporting on top of it a cultivation basin provided with seals and having insulated sides. The bottom of the cultivation basin is pierced for mounting capillary tubes. The capillary tubes lift water into the substrate, thus keeping it moist and warm also in cold weather. Once thermal growing season in the spring arrives, the device is supplemented by an outdoor dripping or seepage watering unit powered by a solar panel and operating only when the panel receives light, so over-irrigation does not take place. When outdoors, the device col- lects rain water into a flute and guides it to the cultivation basin, from where excess water flows into the irrigation basin below. The device has a refill pipe for adding water, a float for detecting water level and a drainage pipe for controlling overflow. The drainage pipe is connected to a collection basin, from where the water may be reused for irrigation. When fertilizers are used, they may be added directly into the irrigation water. Since the device is detached from the ground, it is also suitable for fully organic gardening, without fertilizers. Its purpose of use may be changed from intensive to organic gardening and vice versa by washing the cultivation and irrigation basins and their parts.

The cultivation basin of the invention is insulated from the soil around it and therefore the substrate mounted thereto, which may be soil, peat or a mixture of them and sand, does not become contaminated by the surrounding soil. When devices are interconnected, the substrates are detached from one another, thus preventing efficient spreading of plant diseases. The height of the substrate provides an effective insulation against heat loss from the irrigation basin and thus reduces energy consumption during heating periods.

A cultivation cover of the invention consists of a framework and panels to be mounted thereto. The framework is made up of interconnected frames that may be of metal, wood or plastic and are joined together so that a panel may be mounted to each frame of the cultivation cover framework from outside the device. The interconnected frames form all sides of the framework body. The outer circumference of the panels to be mounted to the cover are made of same materials as the framework and mounted in place by lifting one panel inside each frame of the framework. The panels are fastened by magnets, so they are fully detachable from all sides of the cultivation cover. The panels may also be provided with hinges. Panels for different applications, climate types and seasons are provided. There are glazed and cell sheet panels for a cool and too rainy climate, dense fabric mesh panels for insect control and windy climates, steel wire net panels of thin wire and small mesh for small rodent control, steel wire net panels with a mesh of 19 mm x 19 mm suitable for bird control, and steel net panels of a strong wire against vermin and domestic animals. The panels are changed according to the purpose of use in order to achieve maximum plant growth, also different panels may be used together. The frames of the cultivation cover may be interconnected so as to enable the cover to be expanded in height, width and length. Glazed panels are provided both with seals, to suit germination in a cool climate together with a heated irrigation basin, and without seals, to suit seedling and plant growth without heating by providing ventilation for controlling oxygen levels and excessive heat.

The inventive aspect of the invention is based on an idea that it is more economical to heat a substrate from below than a greenhouse of a large volume. Consequently, heat is mostly maintained in the culture, and the heat that drains from the invention heats the space where the invention stands during heating periods.

Due to the high volume of irrigation water stored in the device and the detachability of the cover panels, access to the cultivation basin is unobstructed from all directions and the protective effect of the cover makes long service inter- vals possible when the device is located at a long distance from the user, e.g. at a holiday residence. The device works well also during journeys abroad or holiday trips.

As the growing season draws closer, the invention together with the plants may be moved outdoors, without a need to re-plant the plants. The plant growing device is an inexpensive and convenient investment; its modules may be added according to need and no building permit is required. It may be placed in an area unfit for cultivation, inside a building, on a balcony or a terrace, or it may be moved to shelter when necessary.

The invention is convenient to relocate when the related business op- erations are taken to another locality or a private owner of the device moves.

The device may be used irrespective of season so that when there is not enough natural light, a light source that may be adjustable in the vertical direction is added to it and the device is provided with inward reflecting panels whose material may be a sun protection film, reflective film, shiny metal plate or mirror installed on glass. Also an illuminating panel may be installed to the device. All of the above are, similarly as the other panels, fully openable, detachable, replaceable, and different panel types may be combined with one another. Artificial light and panels reflecting inward into the device make vertical cultivation possible, because the plants receive light through the sides and the dripping or seepage watering unit provides the necessary circulation of water for substrates to be placed one on top of the other. The panels are opened, replaced and closed by using a detachable handle, which may be fastened with a magnet, based on suction cup operation or of a shape that allows the panels to be opened, thus preventing unauthorised opening of the panels. However, a device may also be pro- vided with fixed handles. The device may be installed and integrated in furniture similarly as any household appliance.

The cover of the device may be used without the other parts of the device, and, by expanding the cover, a greenhouse or storage space is obtained in which each panel opens either inward or outward. Solid and detachable panels may be used in the cover to create a storage room and when translucent panels are used as windows their place may be changed, when necessary, without tools simply by exchanging panels.

The accompanying drawings do not depict the plant growing device in scale but its operating principle. The device is intended for extending the growing season at both ends thereof. The device is taken into a cold interior where panels 11 are detached from a framework 10, whereby unobstructed access to a cultivation basin 9 is provided from all directions. At the bottom of the cultivation basin 9, there is a pre-installed filter cloth on top of which a substrate, such as soil, is placed. Plant seeds to be grown are sown into the substrate and an irrigation tank 4 of the device is filled with water and a desired fertilizer through a filler pipe 12. The surface of the substrate is watered lightly to ensure germination. The panels 11 of the device, which are glazed and provided with seals, are mounted in place by lifting one inside each frame of the framework 10. Magnets of sufficient strength hold the panels 11 in place. A heating cable 6 of the device is connected to the mains by a plug-in connection. The device is ready and functioning. The volume of the irrigation tank 4 of the device is sufficient for the entire germination period, and heating of the water enhances its rising in the capillary tubes 5. When outdoor temperature has risen sufficiently high, the device is moved outdoors and a solar panel 13, a water pump 14 powered by the solar panel, and a dripping or seepage watering hose 15 are installed to the device. The panels 11 of the device are replaced to provide ventilation according to the intended use of the device. Heating may be used also in the autumn to ensure successful growth.

The invention helps solving problems relating to restrictions on plant growth due to threats caused by natural phenomena, seasons and the environment by providing the device with protection needed by plants from wind, cold, excess moisture, insect pests, birds and vermin. The device advances germination and serves as a substrate for the entire growing period without the plants having to be transferred, because the device is transferrable. In professional use, inter- connected devices form an assembly that is particularly easy to utilize from the outside because all the panels can be opened. In private use, the device may be placed on a balcony, on a terrace at a holiday residence, or into a living room, for example. The device is suitable both for fully organic growing of plants and for intensive gardening.

Claims

1. A plant growing device,

characterized in that the device has a cultivation cover, which is formed of a framework (10) of the cultivation cover and panels (11) to be mount- ed to the framework (10) and fastened with magnets, which panels (11) are provided with frames of metal or wood or plastic, open on all sides of the cultivation cover, are fully detachable on all sides of the framework (10) and are mounted in place by lifting one panel into each frame of the framework (10) of the cultivation cover from outside the device, which framework (10) of the cultivation cover is of metal or wood or plastic and which consists of separate interconnected frames that form all sides of the framework, the frames being interconnected by fastening members, and inside of which device a material selected according to the intended use, climate type or season is installed, and which panels are combined from one or more different types of panels (11).

2. A plant growing device as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that the structure of the device further comprises

- an irrigation tank (4) made of a plate-like material,

- a cultivation basin (9) on top of the irrigation tank (4), the basin being made of a plate-like material,

3. A plant growing device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the device is provided with panels (11) that are fastened with magnets and openable, fully detachable and sealed on all sides of the cultivation cover, the panels being replaceable as required by weather, natural phenomena and seasons, and different types of panels (11) may also be combined to form the cultivation cover.

4. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frames (10) of the cultivation cover are interconnected and, by placing them one on top of the other, the cultivation cover may be increased in height and, by removing them, the cultivation cover may be lowered in height, and, by interconnecting them, the cover may be lengthened or expanded in width.

5. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has hinged panels (11) fastened with magnets.

6. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the devices are interconnectable.

7. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a heating element (6) for the ir- rigation tank (4).

8. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a transfer base (1) .

9. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has capillary tubes (5) for lifting wa- ter from the irrigation tank (4) to the cultivation basin (9).

10. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cultivation cover of the device is mounted on top of one or more frames (2, 7).

11. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a grow light.

12. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has panels (11) fastened with magnets and provided with a reflective surface.

13. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has illuminating panels (11) fastened with magnets.

14. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has superimposed substrates for vertical cultivation.

15. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has detachable handles for opening, detaching and closing.

16. A plant growing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the panels open either inward or outward and the cover is expandable.